Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Tuesday 11/07 A.M. Quickie:It's Election Day: Go Vote!

I could make various appeals about who you should vote for and why (particularly if you're registered in a state with a toss-up race), but instead I'll simply encourage you to go out and vote.

(I'm a politics junkie, so I'll have one eye on the election action today, but I'm also going to attempt to bring back a project I created a few years ago for Page 2 that tried to be a grand unifying theory between sports and politics. More on that later.)

Running down today's big storylines:

Seahawks blank Raiders on MNF: Here's my favorite stat: Oakland became the first team in NFL history to be shut out TWICE -- in ONE SEASON -- on Monday Night Football. Kudos!

This is the video clip of the day: Tyler Brayton having his "YouTube Moment," with a well-placed knee to the groin on national TV. Nothing -- nothing -- is as consistently entertaining as the Groin Shot. (via WithLeather)

NFL Flex Schedule for 11/19: The Chargers-Broncos game got plucked for Sunday primetime, so save your gripes about "East Coast Bias." The league could have moved the Pats, but didn't. (Maybe because they were playing the Packers.)

(Meanwhile, off today's election theme, you might notice that NBC's Election studio looks remarkably similar to the set of Football Night in America. That's some quality double-dipping. Great catch by my favorite blog for cable-news info, TVNewser.)

Speaking of Sunday primetime, if both Michael Strahan and Brian Urlacher sit next week when the Bears play the Giants, does the game still make a sound?

JoePa is a gamer: How many other coaching Methuselahs would rally from a broken leg to be ready for Saturday? Supposedly, he plans to be on the sidelines for the Temple game. Maybe because it's Temple.

CFB Top 25 Mea Culpa: Kudos to all commenters who correctly pointed out the MASSIVE FLAW IN MY LOGIC in assigning Louisville the "best" win of the season over Ohio St. I should have corrected it to say that Ohio St. has the best win of the season. Arkansas has the second-best. Auburn has the third-best. Louisville is off the map. If I was half as clever as I *think* I am, the world would be a better place. I regret the error and -- even though I think Louisville would beat Michigan on a neutral field -- I will likely switch my poll ballot around.

Three things about last night's NBA results:

(1) Don Nelson won his Dallas homecoming, a game that oozed with too many layers of symbolism: The architect/daddy figure returns with a new team and beats his old team, which had ascended to the status of "best" in the conference? Yikes.

(2) Utah is still undefeated, and they remained that way by beating the Pistons. Remember the Pistons last November? How the mighty...

(3) If the Knicks are going to reach the magical "24 wins" mark, beating the elite teams like the Spurs isn't necessary. But a 1-3 start puts them off the 24-W pace.

Clemens, Pettitte file for F.A.: How amusing would it be to see them come out as a package deal, available to -- say -- the Yankees, who could afford both -- plus a certain Japanese import? I think my head would implode, along with many other fans. Speaking of which...

Only one more day for teams to get their sealed posting bids in for Daisuke Matsuzaka. Any last predictions at the number? $30 mil? More?

(Apparently, his nickname is "D-Mat," which is unfortunate. Can't they do better than the tired "first name intitial-first syllable of last name" construction? Based on his mythical super-pitch, why not call him "Gyro?" Too "American Gladiators?")

68 comments:

Nice game by Seneca Wallace. That was about as good as you could ask out of him.

Now is it me or was the crowd as much a factor as any Seahawk player? That's probobly the only crowd that comes reasonably close to a college student section. The Raiders obviously couldn't hear a thing on the field.

From what I've heard, you must match your posting fee for Gyroman with the amount of the contract. Like, if you post $30 million, you have to offer a contract of at least that much, too. (Was it Gammons or Olney with the rumor of the Orioles posting $50 mil, and then only offering 10 years at $5 mil each?)

Well, it's conceivable you could post only $16 million and then back it up with a $16 million, one year contract. Boras would jump to have the guy a free agent *again* after one year, no?

Well maybe not, if he blows out his arm.

Why does the NFL force-feed us the Raiders in prime time year after year?

And no comment on the shot to the nuts? If Haynesworth got 5 for a stomp, I wonder if aiming low gets you more....assuming the league offices have any balls, they'd want to, well, protect them.

I wouldn't make too much out of the raiduhs being the first team to ever be blanked twice in one season on MNF, since they are undoubtedly the worst team to get two games on MNF. I don't think they would have gotten two games on the ABC version; so any records of mediocrity (or putridity) on the ESPN version must be taken with a grain of salt.

As for the Knicks, I don't think it matters, I-Thom gets fired at the end of the year, regardless, since Dolan will realize he has to get rid of him to not completely alienate all his fans (as though he hasn't already; but he's got to get rid of isiah before the nets move to brooklyn...). Knickers may get to 24 by feasting on the Celtics of the league, but I doubt it, since they probably split with the Celtics. I'd give them both between 13 and 19 games this year, with the Sixers, Nets, and Raptors looking more respectable than they otherwise are because of it.

The Pistons are suffering from the Curse of Memo. Okur is 4-1 against them, and 3-0 in games he started. I kind of wish the pistons had let Sheed walk after the title and built around Mehmet and Darko. At times I think the whole "Different Guy every night" is a copout that they don't want to put the time and effort into making one guy the feature, and then we get shocked when they leave for a large raise (See Mehmo, Ben, and Chauncey next year).

Any word about the flex schedule for the 26th? Bears/Pats are playing but I think NBC is scheduled right now for Eagles/Colts?

Didn't watch more than 5 minutes of that game last night, but Richard is right - that Seattle crowd is unreal. You'd think they were playing in the NFC title game by how loud they were. Best crowd in the league, I think.

What else do you expect from the town that invented Starbucks. That crowd is hopped up on Double Shot Expresso's with a Chocolate Twist! Besides, have you ever been to Seattle, what else is there to be happy about?

I don't understand the election day rhetoric urging people to vote. If you don't plan on voting, you probably have no idea who stands for what or what you're voting for. So you're essentially urging people to go to the polls and randomly pull levers or push buttons. What is that accomplishing? Aside from making it so the person with the most signs on the road to the voting booth probably wins, since uninformed people will vote for a familiar name.

I only know what's going on in Ohio and Virginia as far as issues and voting.Both states are so pathetic that I'm going to maintain sanity and stay home.

The State of Ohio will soon have a smoking amendment that doesn't ban smoking anywhere and is supported by RJ Reynolds.Virginia will have an anti-gay marriage amendment that will take away rights from women who are abused by men they aren't married to (ie. boyfriends). And all because people don't take the time to actually read what they are voting for.

This is how far MNF has fallen: Raiders shown twice this season. This is why I'm digging Sunday Night Football In America. I thought it would be too much football on Sunday, but pshhhhaw... no such thing!

Can we all agree, that this country is divided as much on voting and not voting; as on abortion? Sports is the distraction that unites us! That is why we spend more time on oddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/34299433.

oddlyenough said... Yet if you spent 1/10th the time learning about your candidates as you spend railing on the Raiders lack of O, or the noise in Seattle's stadium you would know your candidates. Funny how that works.

Well, when you have 2 candidates that both suck, you don't agree with either of them on the issues, and all their ads are attacks on each other like we have here in Fort Wayne, IN, maybe I don't want to learn about them or vote for either one.

I've never liked the theory of voting that says you need to know the candidate. Research is more important in this country due to weak parties, but in large part, parties should stand for something. Then it's ok to know that you like a party for a certain reason, and just vote for all those candidates, regardless of whether you recognize any names.

Few of us really know the candidates - just look at Foley. So being principled about a party is a better way to go, which is becoming ironic. As I write this, there are more and more independents everyday. As an independent, you do need to do a lot more research. Chances are, you're independent because we only have 2 parties, and neither makes a big deal about your issues. So you have specific research to do. But for the mayor, or county judge or city council, their stance on patents or environmental policies or the war won't matter much anyway.

That's why I'd rather see party affiliation and some attempt to contribute to that party's conversation rather than try to get 250 mil independent voters grading 20,000 local and federal candidates, on some mythical issues score card. Candidates aren't some random collection of issue positions. They also care mostly about 1 or 2 things, probably region specific. They also only have so much time to listen.

It's like you can't play the game until you pick teams. People get more and more disgruntled with our 2 party system, but that's because they contribute less and less and compromise less and less. And there are simple ways this country could have more national parties (i.e. more choice), but without an organized movement, there's no incentive for Dems and Reps to change anything.

That being said, the biggest story of the day should be that it's Emergence Day, as in the day when Gears of War comes out for Xbox 360. Trust me, this game will be the system seller end-all be-all must-have game of this holiday season.

Well, at least it's a way bigger deal than the Raiders looking crappy.

my favorite ad here is one that shows a superimposed candidate standing next to the leader of N.Korea while a missile is being launched as a background and they talk about nuclear testing. What the hell does that have to do with whether or not the property near my house will be zoned commercial or residential. The guy is running for the zoning committee.

See people who do not vote have no right to complain about the problems in this country. The only way to make changes in this country is to vote. Voting is a right you should never take for granted. There are millions of people in the world that would kill for the freedoms we have. And you can not take the 10 minutes out of your day today to vote. Personally i think that is pathethic.

To make an excuse like I hate the 2 party system or that I do not know the issues or the candidates is a joke. Take 5 or 10 minutes today and go to the candidates in your areas website and read what they are about and then go vote.

I don't disagree with:To make an excuse like I hate the 2 party system or that I do not know the issues or the candidates is a joke. Take 5 or 10 minutes today and go to the candidates in your areas website and read what they are about and then go vote.

However, in the *absence* of making that effort, one should not vote just for the sake of voting.

CMFost, that is the biggest load of crap I've ever read. Voting does nothing to change anything because the system is rigged to keep the status quo. Donating blood is a better use of time than voting by a long shot.

So, for people like cmfost, what if there's only two candidates, and neither of them agree with my stance on a particular subject? The one subject I care about? So I don't vote for either of them. Do I still not have a right to complain?

As for the guy advocating that we all vote on party lines as a default, well, if any of the people in the party actually stuck with the original party view, that might be valid. Hell, I'd be a Republican if that word meant what it used to mean - smaller government, states rights, etc etc. But it means nothing of the sort anymore. It basically seems to mean "religious nut" lately.

What effort is there to take 10 minutes away from posting on this site or going to ESPN and getting informed as to what is going on in this country. The really is not much effort.

As for the system being rigged, it is not well it maybe since we have signs of there being some cheating. But it is not a load of crap that your vote does not change anything. If all the people who thought that way actually votes then you could change things.

Do you know how pathetic we look as a country when only 40-50% of the people eligible to vote actually do. And we are supposed to help promote democracy around the world. How can we when we do not even take advantage of it.

So, for people like cmfost, what if there's only two candidates, and neither of them agree with my stance on a particular subject? The one subject I care about?

Actually that is what I am saying but you should try and choose a candidate that mostly closely fit your views. There is no candidate out there unless you are the candidate that is going to 100% agree with everything you believe in but you can at least vote for the person that most closely holds those views.

It is better to try and have a hand in government then to let someone choose for you.

solomonrex:I hate people who flame, and I'll try to be as constructive as possible, but I felt the need to address almost everything you said.

I've never liked the theory of voting that says you need to know the candidate.WTF?!

Research is more important in this country due to weak parties, but in large part, parties should stand for something. But they don't. Republicans have neither lowered taxes or shrunk the government (size OR spending) in god knows how long. I'd provide an example of the hypocrisy of the Democrats, but they haven't stood for anything in years. And you can find out what each party stands for on their website, even if individual politicians are not compelled to vote along party lines all the time.

Few of us really know the candidates - just look at Foley. So being principled about a party is a better way to go, which is becoming ironic.Exactly. Why be ironic on purpose?

As I write this, there are more and more independents everyday. As an independent, you do need to do a lot more research. Chances are, you're independent because we only have 2 parties, and neither makes a big deal about your issues. No, most independents disagree with both Republicans and Democrats on the big issues. The two parties are not diametrically opposed on every issue. The War on Drugs, Fiscal Solvency, and Campaign Financing are just three topics that both parties are messing up, IMHO. BTW, that evil thing called research would inform you of this.

That's why I'd rather see party affiliation and some attempt to contribute to that party's conversation rather than try to get 250 mil independent voters grading 20,000 local and federal candidates, on some mythical issues score card. Candidates aren't some random collection of issue positions. They also care mostly about 1 or 2 things, probably region specific. They also only have so much time to listen.Believe it or not, there are 365 days a year, and dozens if not hundreds of votes to be made. In an election, a candidate is mostly going to be judged precisely on how he/she votes (assuming he doesn't solicit interns on IM or anything). Candidates, for all intents and purposes, ARE a collection of positions on issues. And, have you ever spent an entire year concentrating on one or two things?! No, there is plenty of time to tackle all of the big issues in some capacity, by either voting or lobbying.

Are you serious? With all due respect, I disagree with EVERYTHING you say here. I hope I missed your sarcasm or something. I'd be willing to look like a fool to know that someone doesn't think this way.

The first thing I ask people when I feel a political discussiong coming on is "did you vote?". That way, I know five seconds in whether I should bother continuing the discussion. I don't discuss politics with people who don't vote. Be it laziness, apathy, or 'conscientious objection'... I don't care. Voting is not a right or a privilege, its an obligation.

If the 2 candidates running for your congressman were Hitler and Jeffrey Dahmer would you bother to vote? I submit you wouldn't. From there it's just a matter of degree as to how bad a candidate has to be before you sell yourself out.

I do not throw my polotics on people, however, if you have the time. VOTE! One of the greatest foundations of this country is the fact that we have been given the chance to select who we want to represent us. If you don't agree with the big 2 candidates, there are usually several smaller candidates that have different platforms. Even if they have no shot to win it's great to hear your voice heard. (I will be clued to election results tonight)

That being said, I've got an announcement to make.

The NBA has won me back.

I didn't leave fully, I always watched the Magic games and even attended a few. However, after I got hom from a very long day, I flipped on the 2nd half of the Magic game. After it was over I flipped through the other games...Golden State v. Dallas was great!

I don't get to watch much TV, and MNF was absolutely terrible to watch, so I resorted to the NBA. That's the 1st time I've been able to say that since at least 1998.

Dan: I'd like to hear your thoughts on the perceived lack of defense that Louisville/WVa showed us last Thursday. Make no mistake: many of the turnovers were unforced, making the defenses look no better. And then on top of all that, they gave up a combined 1000 yards. The way I see it, the difference between Louisville and Michigan is, one clearly has a defense, and one clearly doesn't. That's why I think Michigan would win.

You know what I'd really like to see a politician do? Come out and say "Instead of spending thousands upon thousands of dollars in ads that tell you how bad my opponent is and do nothing to explain my positions, I'm giving all this money to a charity where it might actually do some good for this country." At least then, for the first time in year, a politician would have done something to HELP America.

just remember, it is also your right NOT to vote. I agree that lazy people who aren't registered to vote have no right to bitch, but for people who are registered and are stuck in a no win situation like steve in Ft.Wayne said, then he has every right not to bother driving to the polls, so long as he has thought it through and it is apathy, not lethargy.

Ohio will not pass the smoking amendment rafael, because only 20% of the people in the state smoke. Assuming random distribution, only 20% of the voters smoke, and it should be stopped. I hope.

I thought Slater was coked up too. I have no problem with Wilbon in the booth, he's 1000% better than Joe T. who needs to be replaced. But Slater, wow, he was making random noises and talking about god knows what...you know it's bad when The Bos is more coherent.

We're obviously talking at cross-purposes here. Picking a party affiliation should be a rational choice, but researching 23 different people for one election is a waste of time. The candidates change compared to their voting record. If you're a normal American, there's no telling whether you're capable of that research, and no reason why your views don't matter anyway. A party is an information shortcut - it's a waste of time to research dozens of people and hundreds of bills/votes on record, so I'll pick Republicans as pro-Defense, or Democrats as pro-abortion.

And you mention lobbying, which is precisely what I'm getting at. Voting is less about making informed choices once every 2 years and more about knowing what you care about and going after that. There are plenty of opportunities within our democracy to do this. Join and influence a party from within, or lobby them from without, it's all the same. Be an advocate, if you make your case for looser drug laws or balanced budgets, or whatever, you'll get a party on your side. Btw, Bush is a spender, but we've never balanced a budget during a major war.

Research is a positive. But I'd rather see the average American taking care of his/her health, making better cars than the Koreans, and catching criminals. Our day jobs are far more important that spending hours researching a decision that might come down to a coin flip anyway.

And when people do research, I'd rather that they educate themselves more generally about the issues. Learn about Islam, finances, the stock market, the tax code. That's more important than learning whether Hillary voted for a pork park project in Missouri.

The fact is, there isn't plenty of time to tackle all the issues - and there just aren't right answers to some of these questions. I'm a Christian Conservative, so I've picked my party based on one major thing. Most people are like this: Libertarians like Republicans when they're talking about gun control and hate them when they're talking about the FCC. They like Democrats when they're talking about gay marriage and hate them when they're talking about welfare. That's normal. But the situation will remain the same until you do some persuasion.

Does anyone think it is funny that some NFL stadiums are 40,000 seats smaller than the biggest college stadiums? Fedex is the biggest at 80,000ish right? The Colts play in front of 60,000...and the powerhouse of big 10 football indiana has 52,000 seats.

If they do have to simulate crowd noise I have an easy fix...build bigger stadiums, and sell 20 dollar tickets.

If they do have to simulate crowd noise I have an easy fix...build bigger stadiums, and sell 20 dollar tickets.

maher~Oh my gosh! Can you believe the oober-smart owners would ever think of this!? Those large venues would effect the "sellout crowd" stats though, don't you think? I would think that the big football towns would have no problem with doubling their seating and selling those tix.

While this year's Heisman race certainly lacks excitement, I think everyone in the media needs to wake up and realize it's not even close to over!! Quinn has one bad game against a greta Michigan defense. If Smith has a similar game (entirely possible), then you should compare Quinn and Smith by the rest of their season. And thus, look at the stats:

In the six games since the Michigan loss, Quinn has thrown 19 touchdowns against just one pick, and has now gone five straight games without throwing a ball to the wrong jersey. In four of those six games, he has topped 300 yards passing.

Smith could very well put up a great game against UM and roll to the Heisman but my point is that it shouldn't be just given to Smith simply for being the QB of the #1 team. Let them play out the season and then declare a winner.

I don't think increasing the number of cheap seats affects the number of boxes. What it does do is two things...

1) You could have 100,000 for a team like the Redskins or Giants, that has the base year in and year out.

2) Teams like Jacksonville would NEVER sell out a game and thus get blacked out on local TV.

I am kinda surprised that nobody's thought of that idea....just make a ridiculously large bowl of 125,000 or something. Of course, watching football in person, the seats are unbelievably worse, generally, than on TV. You'd need to make them $10 tickets, with free parking, to make it worth it!

Wow. I like that idea, too! I know races get big numbers, because you can put people inside the track (both for horses and cars)....I'm surprised you can get the same number just in the circumference for a football game, but cool, if they can!

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DanShanoff.com is a sports-blog spin-off of my long-time ESPN.com column, "The Daily Quickie." Anchored by an early-morning post of must-know topics, the blog is updated frequently throughout the day with new posts and user comments.